U.S. President Joe Biden had earlier made a startling announcement that he would not seek re-election in the upcoming 2024 presidential race.
This decision, which he revealed via a letter posted to his X account, has been attributed to massive pressure from within his own party.
The 81-year-old President's withdrawal has sparked widespread discussion and analysis regarding the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party and the broader implications for the upcoming election.
In an interview with CBS News' Bob Costa on August 11, Biden elaborated on the factors that influenced his decision. He acknowledged that "pressure from fellow Democrats" played a crucial role.
Among those who urged him to step down were prominent figures such as former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Biden noted that the concerns centered around his age and mental fitness, especially following a "disastrous June 27 debate."
Biden stated, "A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic." He further explained that he did not want to become a distraction, saying, "I thought it’d be a real distraction."
The President also reflected on his initial vision when he first ran for office, describing himself as a "transition President." He emphasized the importance of maintaining democracy and defeating Donald Trump, whom he described as "a genuine danger to American security."
Biden expressed his fears about the potential consequences if Trump were to win, stating, "If Trump wins, no I’m not confident at all... He means what he says, we don’t take him seriously. He means it, all this stuff about, if we lose it’ll be a bloodbath, it’ll be a stolen [election]."
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